Salvia plant named ‘BBSAL01301’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Salvia  plant named ‘BBSAL013201’, characterized by its upright plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; freely branching habit; dense and bushy plant form; strong and sturdy lateral branches; dark green-colored leaves; early and freely flowering habit; upright inflorescences with purplish blue-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Botanical designation: Salvia hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘BBSAL013201’.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION AND STATEMENT REGARDING PRIORDISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR/APPLICANT

This application claims priority to a Canadian Plant Breeders' Rightsapplication filed on May 17, 2019, application number 19-9879. Therehave been no offers for sale anywhere in the world prior to theeffective filing date of this Application and no accessibility to one ofordinary skill in the art could have been derived from the printed PlantBreeder's Rights documents.

The Inventor/Applicant asserts that no publications nor advertisementsrelating to sales, offers for sale or public distribution occurred morethan one year prior to the effective filing date of this application.Any information about the claimed plant would have been obtained from adirect or indirect disclosure from the Inventor. Applicant claims aprior art exemption under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/orsales prior to the filing date but less than one year prior to theeffective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Salviaplant, botanically known as Salvia hybrida and hereinafter referred toby the name ‘BBSAL013201’.

The new Salvia plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Bonsall, Calif. The objective of thebreeding program is to create new uniform Salvia plants with attractiveleaves and flowers and good garden performance.

The new Salvia plant originated from a cross-pollination made by theInventor on Oct. 31, 2016 of a proprietary selection of Salvia hybridaidentified as code number 16SB119-02, not patented, as the female, orseed, parent with a proprietary selection of Salvia hybrida identifiedas code number 16SB115-03, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent.The new Salvia plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as asingle flowering plant from within the progeny of the statedcross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Bonsall,Calif. on Aug. 16, 2017.

Asexual reproduction of the new Salvia plant by vegetative terminalcuttings in Bonsall, Calif. since Aug. 23, 2017 has shown that theunique features of this new Salvia plant are stable and reproduced trueto type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Salvia have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘BBSAL013201’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘BBSAL013201’ as anew and distinct Salvia plant:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit.    -   2. Moderately vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.    -   3. Freely branching habit; dense and bushy plant form.    -   4. Strong and sturdy lateral branches.    -   5. Dark green-colored leaves.    -   6. Early and freely flowering habit.    -   7. Upright inflorescences with purplish blue-colored flowers.    -   8. Good garden performance.

Plants of the new Salvia can be compared to plants of the female parentselection. Plants of the new Salvia differ primarily from plants of thefemale parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Salvia have stronger and sturdier lateral        branches than plants of the female parent selection.    -   2. Leaves of plants of the new Salvia are darker green in color        than leaves of plants of the female parent selection.    -   3. Plants of the new Salvia and the female parent selection        differ in flower color as plants of the new Salvia have more        bluish-colored flowers whereas plants of the female parent        selection have more purplish-colored flowers.    -   4. Plants of the new Salvia have better garden performance than        plants of the female parent selection.

Plants of the new Salvia can be compared to plants of the male parentselection. Plants of the new Salvia differ primarily from plants of themale parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Salvia have stronger and sturdier lateral        branches than plants of the male parent selection.    -   2. Leaves of plants of the new Salvia are darker green in color        than leaves of plants of the male parent selection.    -   3. Plants of the new Salvia and the male parent selection differ        in flower color as plants of the new Salvia have purplish        blue-colored flowers whereas plants of the male parent selection        have pale blue-colored flowers.    -   4. Plants of the new Salvia have better garden performance than        plants of the male parent selection.

Plants of the new Salvia can be compared to plants of Salvia hybrida‘Amistad’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,578. In side-by-sidecomparisons, plants of the new Salvia differ from plants of ‘Amistad’ inthe following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Salvia are shorter and more upright than        plants of ‘Amistad’.    -   2. Plants of the new Salvia are more freely branching and denser        than plants of ‘Amistad’.    -   3. Plants of the new Salvia have stronger and sturdier lateral        branches than plants of ‘Amistad’.    -   4. Leaves of plants of the new Salvia are broader and darker        green in color than leaves of plants of ‘Amistad’.

Plants of the new Salvia can also be compared to plants of Salviaguaranitica ‘Black and Blue’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons,plants of the new Salvia differ from plants of ‘Black and Blue’ in thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Salvia are more freely branching and denser        than plants of ‘Black and Blue’.    -   2. Plants of the new Salvia have stronger and sturdier lateral        branches than plants of ‘Black and Blue’.    -   3. Leaves of plants of the new Salvia are broader and darker        green in color than leaves of plants of ‘Black and Blue’.    -   4. Plants of the new Salvia flower earlier than plants of ‘Black        and Blue’.    -   5. Flowers of plants of the new Salvia are lighter purplish blue        in color than flowers of plants of ‘Black and Blue’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Salvia plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Salvia plant.

At the top of the photographic sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective viewof a typical flowering plant of ‘BBSAL01301’ grown in a container and atthe bottom of the photographic sheet is a close-up view of a typicalflowering plant of ‘BBSAL01301’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown during the spring in 15.25-cmcontainers in a polyethylene-covered greenhouse in St. Thomas, Ontario,Canada and under cultural practices typical of commercial Salviaproduction. During the production of the plants, day temperaturesaveraged 27° C. and night temperatures averaged 15° C. Plants werepinched three weeks after planting and were ten weeks from plantingrooted cuttings when the photographs and description were taken. In thefollowing description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Salvia hybrida ‘BBSAL013201’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Salvia            hybrida identified as code number 16SB119-02, not patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of Salvia            hybrida identified as code number 16SB115-03, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By vegetative terminal cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About four to five days at            temperatures about 17° C. to 29° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About seven to nine days at            temperatures about 17° C. to 21° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant from unrooted cuttings,            summer.—About three to four weeks at temperatures about            17° C. to 29° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant from unrooted cuttings,            winter.—About four to five weeks at temperatures about            17° C. to 21° C.        -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; typically            white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on            substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and            formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of            roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Herbaceous perennial typically grown            as a container and garden plant; upright plant habit;            uniform plant and flowering habit; moderately vigorous            growth habit and rapid growth rate.        -   Branching habit.—Freely basal branching with about six            primary lateral branches each with about two lateral            branches developing at every node; bushy and dense            appearance.        -   Plant height.—About 64 cm.        -   Plant width.—About 78 cm.        -   Lateral branch description.—Length: About 45.9 cm. Diameter:            About 5.4 mm. Internode length: About 6.5 cm. Strength:            Strong and sturdy. Aspect: Mostly upright to about 30° to            45° from vertical. Texture and luster: Moderately pubescent,            longitudinally ridged; matte. Color, developing: Close to            N187A. Color, developed: Close to 147B to 147C tinged with            close to N77C.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, simple.        -   Length.—About 11.3 cm.        -   Width.—About 6.8 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Rounded to cuneate.        -   Margin.—Crenate to serrate.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Sparsely pubescent and            densely pubescent along midrib, slightly rough; slightly            glossy.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Sparsely pubescent and            moderately pubescent along midrib, slightly rough; matte.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate, reticulate.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 138A.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 147B. Fully            expanded leaves, upper surface: Darker than 147A; venation,            close to 145B. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: More            grey than 147B; venation, close to 145D.        -   Petioles.—Length: About 6.5 cm. Diameter: About 2.3 mm.            Strength: Moderately strong. Texture and luster, upper and            lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color, upper            surface: Close to 144C weakly tinged with close to N77C.            Color, lower surface: Close to 146C.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower arrangement and shape.—Single bilabiate flowers            arranged on erect terminal and axillary racemes; freely            flowering habit with about 39 to 54 flowers developing per            inflorescence and more than 500 flowers developing per            plant; flowers face mostly outwardly.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Natural flowering season.—Early flowering habit, plants            begin flowering about six to seven weeks after planting;            plants flower from late spring until frost in Southern            Ontario, Canada.        -   Flower longevity.—Flowers last about four to five days on            the plant; flowers not persistent.        -   Flower buds.—Length: About 1.7 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm.            Shape: Clavate. Texture and luster: Densely pubescence,            velvety; matte. Color: Close to 93A; at the base, close to            150D.        -   Inflorescence height.—About 23.5 cm.        -   Inflorescence diameter.—About 8.6 cm.        -   Flower diameter.—About 2.1 cm.        -   Flower length.—About 3.8 cm.        -   Flower throat diameter.—About 8 mm.        -   Flower tube length.—About 2.4 cm.        -   Flower tube diameter, distally.—About 8 mm.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Five petals with two upper petals fused            forming a galea and three lower petals fused forming a            broader lower protruding lip. Upper galea length: About            1.7 cm. Upper galea width: About 6 mm. Lower lip length:            About 1.3 cm. Lower lip width: About 5 mm. Shape: Upper            galea, hooded; lower lip, oblong, revolute. Apex: Round.            Base: Fused into a narrow tube. Margin: Entire. Texture and            luster, upper surface: Scabrous; somewhat glossy. Texture            and luster, lower surface: Minute pubescence; somewhat            glossy. Texture and luster, throat: Smooth, glabrous;            slightly glossy. Texture and luster, tube: Sparsely            pubescent; moderately glossy. Color: Galea, when opening and            fully opened, upper surface: Close to 96C; venation, close            to 96C; color does not fade with development. Galea, when            opening and fully opened, lower surface: Close to 97B to            97C; venation, close to 97B to 97C; color does not fade with            development. Lower lip, when opening and fully opened, upper            surface: Close to 96C to 96D; venation, close to 96C to 96D;            color does not fade with development. Lower lip, when            opening and fully opened, lower surface: Close to 94D;            venation, close to 94D; color does not fade with            development. Throat: Close to 97D; venation, close to 96D.            Tube: Close to 94A; venation, close to 94A.        -   Calyx.—Arrangement: Five sepals fused to form a tubular            bilabiate calyx. Sepal length: About 1.8 cm. Sepal width:            About 6 mm. Sepal shape: Roughly deltoid. Sepal apex:            Cuspidate. Sepal margin: Entire. Sepal texture and luster,            inner surface: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Texture and luster,            outer surface: Moderately pubescent; matte. Color: When            developing and fully developed, inner surface: Close to            145B. When developing and fully developed, outer surface:            Close to N189A; along the veins, close to N186A.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 8.6 cm. Diameter: About 2.5 mm.            Strength: Strong. Aspect: Mostly erect. Texture and luster:            Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Close to 148A moderately to            strongly overlain with close to N77C.        -   Pedicels.—Length: About 7 mm. Diameter: About 1 mm.            Strength: Strong, flexible. Aspect: About 45° from peduncle            axis. Texture and luster: Moderately to densely pubescent;            matte. Color: Close to N187B.        -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: Two.            Filament length: About 2 cm. Filament color: Distally, close            to 94B and proximally, close to N88A to N88B. Anther size:            About 5 mm by 1 mm. Anther shape: Ellipsoidal. Anther color:            Close to 93A. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color: Close            to 155A. Pistils: Quantity per flower: One. Pistil length:            About 4.3 cm. Stigma diameter: Less than 1 mm. Stigma shape:            Bipartite. Stigma color: Close to N88A. Style length: About            3.9 cm. Style color: Close to NN155D. Ovary color: Close to            154C.        -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit production has not            been observed on plants of the new Salvia plant.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Salvia have    not been noted to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to    Salvia plants.-   Garden performance: Plants of the new Salvia have exhibited good    garden performance and to be tolerant to rain, wind, low    temperatures about 2° C. and to be suitable for USDA Hardiness Zone    10a to 11b.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Salvia plant named ‘BBSAL013201’ asillustrated and described.